Child resistant/elderly friendly slider closure arrangement for plastic bags

ABSTRACT

A child resistant/elderly friendly slider closure arrangement for plastic bags includes a finger actuated member that must be actuated before the closure can be opened. The finger actuated member is pivotally mounted on the body of a slider in a location to engage the closure or another slider.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a slider closure arrangement for plastic bags, and, more particularly to child resistant and elderly friendly slider closure arrangements for plastic bags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Plastic bags with and without closures are available for a wide variety of uses. One type of closure for these bags is a pinch to close closure. This closure includes interlocking male and female profiles that close or lock upon being pressed together and open by being pulled apart. Another type of closure includes interlocking male and female profiles that are opened and closed by a slider mounted on the closure and moved along the closure to effect opening and closing.

[0003] Both of these closures can be opened and closed by users of all ages. This ease of operation is preferred unless the bag contains pharmaceuticals; lawn, garden or pool chemicals or similar products. It would be beneficial to have a slider closure arrangement for bags containing hazardous or harmful products that is child resistant yet operable by adults.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A slider closure arrangement for bags used for pharmaceuticals; lawn, garden and pool chemicals, and similar materials is preferably child resistant and elderly friendly. To meet these requirements, the slider closure arrangement of the present invention takes two steps and requires manual dexterity rather than brute force to open. The slider in this arrangement includes a finger actuated portion that when actuated by being pressed by a finger, places the slider in an operative configuration such that as the slider is moved along a closure, the closure is opened or closed. The finger actuated portion engages a notch, a knurled surface, a post or a termination on the closure, is hooked onto another slider, or is out of engagement with the closure and must be actuated into contact with the closure in order for the slider to be operative. Thus, the finger actuated portion must be actuated while the slider is moved along the closure in order to open the closure thereby requiring two mechanical steps to open the closure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings in which:

[0006]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the bottom of a slider closure arrangement constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a side schematic cross sectional illustration of the slider closure arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 with a finger actuated portion of the slider in a notch in the closure;

[0008]FIG. 3 is a side schematic cross sectional illustration of a slider closure arrangement similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 with a separation member on the finger actuated portion of the slider;

[0009]FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a slider closure arrangement with a finger actuation portion of a slider engaging a knurled surface on a closure;

[0010]FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of first and second interlocking sliders, one with a finger actuated portion, mounted on a closure;

[0011]FIG. 5a is a schematic illustration similar to FIG. 5 with a separation member on the finger actuated portion;

[0012]FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a slider closure arrangement on a bag in which a termination on the closure includes a post for docking the slider;

[0013]FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a slider closure arrangement on a bag with a termination on the closure similar to the termination in FIG. 6 and the slider includes a finger actuated portion that fits over a post on the termination;

[0014]FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a slider closure arrangement with a finger actuated portion on the slider for engaging and opening the closure; and

[0015]FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a slider closure arrangement with a slider that is actuable to one of two positions to engage and open the closure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1 there is schematically illustrated a reclosable closure 10 that is of the type found on reclosable plastic bags. One example of a closure of this type may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,286 incorporated by reference herein although closures of other types may also be used. The closure 10 includes a first profiled track 12 and a second profiled track 14 that are connected together to close the closure 10 and separated to open the closure 10 by a slider 16. The slider 16 includes a separation member 18 that has a wide portion or end 20 and a narrow portion or end 22. To open the closure 10, the separation member 18 should be between the first 12 and second 14 profiled tracks.

[0017] A notch 24 (FIG. 2) is formed in the closure 10 in each of the first 12 and second 14 tracks and preferably near an end of the closure 10. The slider 16 includes a finger actuated member or latch 26 hinged to the slider 16 by a hinge 27. The latch 26 is pivotally mounted on the slider 16 and includes a finger engagement portion or finger pad 28 and a hook portion 30. In the slider locked or latched position the hook portion 30 is located in the notch 24 and resists moving the slider 16 to open the closure 10. To release the slider 16 and open the closure 10, a user must engage the finger pad 28 with a finger to pivot the hook portion 30 out of the notch 24. While depressing the finger pad 28, the slider 16 is moved along the closure 10 to open the closure 10. Thus, two mechanical steps are required to open the closure 10.

[0018] A slider 116 and closure 110 similar to the slider 16 and closure 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown in FIG. 3 with the exception that the separation member 118 is part of the hook portion 130 of the finger actuated member 126 and member 126 is hinged to the slider 116 by a hinge 127. The other components shown in FIG. 3 are the same as the corresponding components in FIGS. 1 and 2 and are identified by the reference numbers used in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the slider closure arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3 the separation member 118 is moved into engagement with the closure 110 when the finger actuated member 126 is depressed. Otherwise, the separation member 118 is out of engagement with the closure 10. As a result, the slider 116 can be moved anywhere on the closure 110 without opening the closure 110 until the finger actuated member 126 is actuated and held which positions the separation member 118 in the closure 110. While the finger actuated member 126 is held, the slider 116 can be moved along the closure 110 to open the closure 110.

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a slider closure arrangement with a closure 210 on a bag 212. The closure 210 includes an end or termination clip 214 such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,286 and a knurled or roughened surface 216 running adjacent to and along the length of the closure 210. A slider 218 is mounted on the closure 210. The slider 218 is similar to the sliders 16 and 116 except that it includes a finger actuated member latch 220 that engages the knurled or roughened surface 216 to hold or lock the slider 218 in place. The finger actuated member latch 220 is pivotally mounted on the slider 218 and includes a finger pad 222 and a surface engagement portion 224. When the slider 218 is at rest the surface engagement portion 224 engages the knurled or roughened surface 216 to lock or hold the slider 218 in place. To open the closure 210, the finger actuated member latch 220 is actuated by depressing the finger pad 222 to lift the surface engagement portion 224 off of the knurled or roughened surface 216. While holding the finger actuated member latch 220, the slider 218 is moved along the closure 210 to open the closure 210.

[0020] A two slider arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 5. This slider arrangement includes a closure 310 similar to closures 10, 110 and 210. The closure 310 is terminated by end clips 312 similar to end clips 214. To open and close the closure 310 a first slider 314 and a second slider 316 are used. The first slider 314 is similar to the slider 16 in FIG. 1 with the exception that a finger actuated member or latch 318 includes a hook 320 that is moved by engagement with a finger engagement portion or pad 322 by a user's finger. The latch 318 is hinged on the slider 314 by a hinge 319. Otherwise, the first slider 314 includes the same components as the slider 16 in FIG. 1 including a separation member positioned in the closure 310.

[0021] The second slider 316 is a mirror image of the first slider 314 with the exception that the second slider 316 includes a hook 324 fixed to the second slider 316 rather than to a finger actuated member. The hook 324 is oriented opposite to the orientation of the hook 320 such that when they are brought together they lock.

[0022] When the first slider 314 is connected to the second slider 316 by the hooks 320 and 324, and the joined sliders 314 and 316 are moved along the closure 310, the closure 310 remains closed because as one of the sliders opens the closure 310, the other slider closes the closure 310. To open the closure 310, the finger engagement portion 322 is depressed to move the hook 320 away from the hook 324 thereby uncoupling the hooks 320 and 324. Once the hooks 320 and 324 are disconnected, either slider 314 or 316 maybe moved to open the closure 310. When it is desired to close the closure 310 and prevent a child from opening the closure 310, the two sliders 314 and 316 can be connected together by the hooks 320 and 324.

[0023] A different version of the slider closure arrangement of FIG. 5 is illustrated in FIG. 5a. All of the components of the slider closure arrangement of FIG. 5a are identical to the corresponding components in FIG. 5 and are identified by the same reference numbers with the exception of the separation member 410 and the hook 324. The separation member 410 is part of the finger actuated member or latch 418 instead of part of the slider 314. When the finger actuated member of latch 418 is depressed, the hooks 320 and 324 are unhooked and the separation member 410 is moved into the closure 310. In this state, the first slider 314 may be moved to open the closure 310. If the finger actuated member 418 is released, the separation member 410 is removed from in the closure 310 and the first slider 314 will not open the closure 310. The hook 324 of the second slider 316 in the embodiment of FIG. 5a is privotally mounted on the second slider 316 by a hinge 454. The hook 324 has a separation member 452 that functions in the same manner as the separation member 410. In order to open the closure 310, the separation member 452 is moved into the closure 312 by pressing on a finger actuation member 450 on hook 324. Thus, when the first slider 314 is unhooked from the second slider 316 as described above, moving the second slider 316 along the closure 310 will not open the closure unless the finger actuating member 450 is pressed.

[0024] A slider closure assembly in which a slider is locked on a termination clip is illustrated in FIG. 6. This slider closure arrangement includes a closure 510 secured to a bag 511. The closure 510 is the same as the closures 10, 110, 210 and 310 described in the above paragraphs. The closure 510 is terminated at its ends by an end or termination clip 512. The termination clip 512 differs from the previously discussed termination clips in that it includes a post 514.

[0025] A slider 516 is mounted on the closure 510. The slider 516 is similar to the previously described sliders in that slider 516 includes a separation member that is located in the closure to open and close the closure 510. The slider 516, however, differs from the previously described sliders in that the slider 516 includes a first side 518 and a second side 520 joined by a flexible hinge 522. The second 520 side of the slider 516 includes an indention or recess 524 of approximately the same size and configuration as the post 514 such that the recess 524 will fit over the post 514.

[0026] The slider 516 can be locked onto the termination clip 512 by moving the slider 516 along the closure 510 toward the clip 512. As the slider 516 approaches the clip 512, the user squeezes the rear end portions 526 and 528 of the first side 518 and the second side 520, respectively, of the slider 516 in the direction of the arrows 530. This causes the forwarded end portions 532 and 534 of the first side 518 and the second side 520, respectively, to move apart in the direction of the arrows 536. By spreading apart the forward end portions 532 and 534 of the first side 518 and the second side 520, the slider 516 can be moved onto the termination clip 512 until the recess 524 is over the post 514. The rear end portions 526 and 528 may then be released allowing the forward end portions 532 and 534 to close over the termination clip 512 locating the post 514 in the recess 524 and locking the slider 516 onto the termination clip 512. To open the closure 510, the user must pinch the rear end portions 526 and 528 of the slider 516 to separate the forward end portions 532 and 534 and lift the recess 524 off the post 514. While pinching the rear end portions 526 and 528, the slider 516 may be pulled along the closure 510 away from the termination clip 512 to open the closure 510.

[0027] Alternatively, the termination clip 512 can include a ramp 515 adjacent the post 514. The ramp 515 eliminates the need for a user to pinch the rear end portions 526 and 528 as the slider 516 approaches the clip 512. Instead, as the slider 516 approaches the clip 512, the forward end portion 534 engages the ramp 515 lifting the forward end portion 534. The forward end portion 534 passes over the post 514, it snaps down onto the clip 512 with the recess 524 over the post 514.

[0028] A slider closure assembly with a slider that locks onto a post similar to the slider in FIG. 6 is illustrated in FIG. 7. This slider closure assembly is similar to that of FIG. 6 and the same components are identified by the same reference numbers. This slider closure assembly includes a slider 710 with a finger actuated member 712 pivotally mounted on the slider 710. The finger actuated member 712 included a finger pad 714 and an extension 716. The extension 716 fits into an opening 718 in a side of the slider 710. The extension 716 includes a recess or opening 524 at least the size and shape of the post 514 so that the recess 524 fits over the post 514 locking the slider 710 to the termination clip 512. This is accomplished by a user pinching the finger actuated member 712 at the finger pad 714. This pivots the extension 716 in the direction of the arrow 722. The slider 710 is then moved toward the termination clip 512 until the opening 524 is over the post 514. The finger actuated member 712 can then be released and the opening 524 will move over the post 514. To open the closure 510, the finger actuated member 712 is pinched until the opening 524 is lifted off the post 514. The slider 710 can then be moved away from the termination clip 514 and along the closure 510. Once the slider 710 is away from termination clip 514, the finger actuated member 712 can be released and the slider 710 will continue to open or close the closoure 510 depending on the direction the slider 710 is moved.

[0029] The slider closure assembly in FIG. 7 may also include a ramp 715 similar in structure and function as the ramp 515 in FIG. 6.

[0030] Another slider closure arrangement requiring a pinching action is illustrated in FIG. 8. The slider closure arrangement in FIG. 8 includes a closure 810 that has a first track 812 and a second track 814. The first track 812 has a female profile 816 and the second track 814 has a male profile 818. The female profile 816 and male profile 818 are interconnecting profiles and the closure 810 is closed when the profiles 816 and 818 are connected as in FIG. 8. Each track 812 and 814 includes a fin 820 that is sealed to or an integral part of a bag such as the bags 212 and 511 illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7.

[0031] A slider 822 is mounted on the closure 810 and opens and closes the closure 810 by separating and connecting the female profile 816 and the male profile 818. The slider 822 includes a first retaining shoulder 824 and a second retaining shoulder 826 which assist in retaining the slider 822 on the closure 810.

[0032] To actuate the female profile 816 and the male profile 818, the slider 822 includes a first finger actuated member 828 with a finger pad 829 and a second finger actuated member 831 with a finger pad 830 each pivotally mounted on the slider 822. To open the closure 810 a user depresses or squeezes the first finger actuated member 828 and the second finger actuated member 831 to engage the closure 810. This engagement causes the female profile 816 and the male profile 818 to separate, and as the slider 822 is moved along the closure 810 while squeezing the first finger actuated member 828 and the second finger actuated member 831, the closure 810 is opened. Upon releasing the first finger actuated member 828 and the second finger actuated member 831, the slider 822 will close the closure 810 by forcing the female profile 816 and the male profile 818 together but will not open it and is free sliding on the closure 810 once the closure is closed.

[0033] Another slider closure arrangement requiring a slider to be moved up or down and then moved along the closure to open the closure is illustrated in FIG. 9. This slider closure arrangement includes a closure 910 with a first track 912 having a female profile 914 and second track 916 with a male profile 918. The first track 912 also includes an upper secondary profile 920 and a lower secondary profile 922. Similarly, the second track 916 includes an upper secondary profile 924 and a lower secondary profile 926.

[0034] A slider 928 is mounted on the closure 910. The closure 910 is located in a central passage 930 through the slider 928. The passage 930 has side walls 932 and 934. The slider 928 further includes a first separation member 936 and a second closing member defined by shoulders 938 and 947.

[0035] The closure 910 can be closed by moving the slider 928 up relative to the closure 910 to engage the second closing member 938, 947 with the lower secondary profiles 922 and 926 and while in this position, moving the slider 928 along the closure 910. The closure 910 can be opened by moving the slider 928 down relative to the closure 910 to engage the first separation member 936 with the upper secondary profiles 920, 924. In this position, as the slider 928 moves along the closure 910, the first separation member 936 separates the upper secondary profile causing the female 914 and male 918 profiles to disconnect or separate.

[0036] While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A slider for opening and closing a closure on a plastic bag, comprising: a body portion, and a finger actuated latch on said body portion for controlling the opening and closing of said closure.
 2. The slider claimed in claim 1 wherein said finger actuated latch comprises a hook member pivotally mounted on said body portion, said hook member including a finger pad at least partially outside of said body portion and a hook portion in said body for engaging a portion of a closure.
 3. The slider claimed in claim 1 wherein said finger actuated latch comprises a latch pivotally mounted on said body portion, said latch including a finger engageable portion and a closure separation member.
 4. The slider claimed in claim 1 wherein said closure includes a knurled portion and said latch includes a portion for engaging said knurled portion.
 5. The slider claimed in claim 1 further comprising a second slider, said second slider including a first hook, said finger actuated latch including a second hook configured to releasably connect to said first hook.
 6. The slider claimed in claim 1 wherein said closure includes a locking member and said finger actuated latch including a portion for releasably locking on said locking member.
 7. The slider claimed in claim 1 wherein said closure includes first and second profiles, said finger actuated latch being adjacent said first and second profiles and biased out of engagement with said first and said second profiles, said finger actuated latch engaging said first and second profiles and opening said closure upon said finger actuated latch being actuated.
 8. The slider claimed in claim 1 wherein said finger actuated latch includes an upper closure separation member on said body and a lower closure closing member on said body, said body portion mounted on said closure for transverse movement relative to said closure to engage either of said upper closure separation member to open said closure and said lower closure closing member with said closure to close said closure.
 9. A closure slider arrangement for plastic bags, comprising: a closure having first and second interlocking profiles, a first slider mounted on said closure, a finger actuated lock mechanism actuable to configure said slider to open and close said closure.
 10. The slider closure arrangement of claim 9 wherein said finger actuated lock mechanism comprises a lever pivotally mounted on said first slider, said lever including a finger pad and a latch, said closure including a notch, said latch located in said notch in a first position of said first slider on said closure, said latch pivoted out of said notch upon movement of said finger pad.
 11. The closure slider arrangement of claim 9 wherein finger actuated lock mechanism includes a lever pivotally mounted on said first slider, said lever includes a finger pad and a profile separation member, said profile separation member located in said closure, said separation member movable out of said closure upon pivoting said lever.
 12. The slider closure arrangement of claim 9 wherein said closure includes a roughened portion, said finger actuated lock mechanism includes a lever pivotally mounted on said first slider with one portion of said lever engaging said roughened portion while said lever is in a first position and out of engagement with said roughened portion while said lever is in a second position.
 13. The slider closure arrangement of claim 9 further comprising a second slider mounted on said closure, said second slider including a latch engageable by said finger actuated lock mechanism to releasably couple said first slider to said second slider.
 14. The slider closure arrangement of claim 9 further comprising a locking element on said closure, said finger actuated lock mechanism including a portion engageable with said lock element to lock said first slider to said closure.
 15. The slider closure arrangement of claim 14 wherein said locking element is a post and said portion on said finger actuated lock mechanism fits over said post.
 16. The slider closure arrangement of claim 14 wherein said portion of said finger actuated lock mechanism includes corresponding sides of said first slider moveable relative to each other to engage and disengage said lock element.
 17. The slider closure arrangement of claim 14 wherein said portion of said finger actuated lock mechanism includes a lever pivotally mounted on said first slider.
 18. The slider closure arrangement of claim 9 wherein said finger lock mechanism includes at least a first lever on said first slider moveable to engage said closure to open said closure.
 19. The slider closure arrangement of claim 9 wherein said finger actuated lock mechanism includes a first separation member and a second closing member in said first slider, said first slider mounted on said closure to allow movement of said first slider relative to and transversely of said closure to engage one of said first separation member and said second closing member and open or close said closure.
 20. A method of opening and closing a closure for a plastic bag using a slider comprising: providing a closure having first and second interconnecting profiles; providing a first slider on said closure, said first slider including a finger actuated portion; actuating said finger actuated portion; and sliding said first slider on said closure to open said closure.
 21. The method of opening and closing a closure for a plastic bag claimed in claim 20 wherein said closure includes a notch and said finger actuated portion includes a lever pivotally mounted on said first slider, said lever including a latch portion positioned in said notch, wherein actuating said finger actuated portion comprises pivoting said lever to lift said latch portion out of said notch.
 22. The method of opening and closing a closure for a plastic bag claimed in claim 20 wherein said finger actuated portion includes a lever pivotally mounted on said first slider, said lever includes a separation member located between said profiles, wherein actuating said finger actuated portion comprises actuating said lever to position said separation member between said interconnecting profiles.
 23. The method of opening and closing a closure for a plastic bag claimed in claim 20 wherein said closure includes a knurled portion, said finger actuated portion including a lever pivotally mounted on said first slider with a portion of said lever engaging said knurled portion, wherein actuating said finger actuated portion comprises pivoting said lever to lift said portion of said lever out of engagement with said knurled portion.
 24. The method of opening and closing a closure for a plastic bag claimed in claim 20 wherein said finger actuated portion includes a hook, further comprising: providing a second slider on said closure, said second slider includes a portion for coupling to said hook to releasably couple said first slider to said second slider; actuating said finger actuated portion to uncouple said first and second sliders; and sliding said first slider along said closure.
 25. The method of opening and closing a closure for a plastic bag claimed in claim 20 wherein said finger actuated portion includes an opening in said first slider, comprising: providing a post on said closure, locking said first slider on said closure by placing said opening on said post; actuating said finger actuated portion to lift said opening off said post; and sliding said first slider on said closure.
 26. The method of opening and closing a closure for a plastic bag claimed in claim 20 wherein said finger actuated portion includes pivotally mounted sides on said first slider, comprising: actuating said finger actuated portion by compressing said pivotally mounted sides of said slider to engage said closure and disconnect said interconnecting profiles; and sliding said slider along said closure.
 27. The method of opening and closing a closure for a plastic bag claimed in claim 20, wherein said first slider includes a first separation member and a second closing member, comprising: moving said first slider transversely to said closure to engage one of said first separation member and said second closing member with said closure; and sliding said first slider along said closure. 